DIY: Greenhouse Shed

A greenhouse shed saves space and money by combining what would otherwise take two separate structures to accomplish. The storage shed can house all of your lawn and garden equipment and tools. The greenhouse can be customized to grow the plants and flowers of your choice. Extra planning is required to make the structure efficient and to capitalize on the flexibility of carving your own space.

Greenhouse Sheds Save Space and Add Flexibility

Greenhouse sheds merge greenhouses with storage sheds. The manner of combination is up to you. If you need more storage space for garden and lawn care equipment, make the storage portion of shed larger than the greenhouse section. Active gardeners who need dedicated space to extend the growing season will create a larger greenhouse section.

The advantage for a do-it-yourselfer in having a combined structure is that it is easier to construct one building than two and it gives the building a definite purpose during the seasons when it is not being used for plants. A combined structure occupies less space than two separate structures.

The primary disadvantage is with temperature control. Greenhouses need to be kept warm in the winter and they produce a good deal of humidity. It takes resources to heat the space and heat may be wasted on equipment and other supplies which do not need it. The atmospheric conditions may do more harm than good to some of your equipment you want to store.

Greenhouses and sheds may be subject to local zoning regulations. Check with your local authorities to figure out what is permissible to build on your property.

Place the structure so that the greenhouse portion receives the most amount of sunlight during the fall and winter seasons. Morning sunlight is most important because this gives the plants the longest time frame for their food production process which leads to greater plant growth.

Create some form of separation between the greenhouse and the storage section, if possible. A wall and door between the two portions will save you money on heating expenses since you can restrict the heat to one side. Place the outer door on the storage room side for even greater temperature control. If separating the spaces is impractical for you, consider localizing the heat source for the plants with specially designed shelving or trays.

A more ambitious design is to construct a two story structure. Place a greenhouse on the level above the storage shed. Constructing a two tier greenhouse shed adds complications for the do-it-yourselfer; however, it offers promising solutions for heat and light problems.

Adding additional natural light sources to an existing storage shed is an economical way to create greenhouse space. You can add windows or switch out a portion of the roofing material to let in light. Prevent air leaks in winter with insulation and by sealing gaps. Put in vents or a fan to release excess heat on summer days and to circulate the air.

Overall, a greenhouse shed can solve space problems and add flexibility to your backyard. There are drawbacks to combining storage with a traditional greenhouse, but with some planning and effort, you can overcome these hurdles.